Erewash Canal Long Eaton to Ilkeston

An early start again and off to where we left off last week. We parked in a housing estate in Long Eaton only 100 yards from our last point on the Erewash Canal. This week our journey took us up through Long Eaton, Sandiacre, under the M1 and up to the Gallows Inn on the outskirts of Ilkeston.

This was part of the stretch we covered last week.

Leaky lock gates

The canal is just full of swans

Had a great chat to this guy. He's rebuilt this 1934 barge and recons its got 2,800 rivets in it.

This lock has a museum alongside it

Rob chatting to a farmer who used to live near the Lock

Another shot of the museum

This is where the now defunct Derby canal joined the Erewash canal.

Erewash Canal & Derby Canal on the right.

Don't think this car has moved for a while.

Magnificent chimney of the old Springfield Mill complex

 The Springfield Mill was a 4 storey lace factory built in 1888. It was home to several businesses and was the brainchild of Terah Hooley who for a time lived in Risley Hall. He was a financier and developer of the Trafford Park Industrial estate near Manchester.

Getting in a bit of practice for the next Olympics!!

Just got up and taking in the morning air.

Ike found a friend

Its a convoy

Rob Ike & Geoff

Cecil. B.De Mille

Catch of the day

Breakfast

Who says the canals are pollution free

This is the Nutbrook river

Bloody cyclists!!!

Washing day down on the canal

This is the Nutbrook aqueduct with the Nutbrook river running under the Erewash canal.

Its difficult to see here but there's a swan on the far bank building its nest.

Waterside apartments

Puncture

This barge was right across the canal

Back to the starting point

A cracking morning, nice weather, nice flat track and we covered a smidgen short of 8 miles. 

We met some interesting folk on route and there is always something interesting to see.

Cheers